Police sergeant in handcuff bullying probe

A POLICE sergeant has been accused of handcuffing a woman colleague to a staircase in a station. Sgt Toby Knight is now at the centre of a misconduct and bullying inquiry by the internal affairs branch of Greater Manchester Police.

A POLICE sergeant has been accused of handcuffing a woman colleague to a staircase in a station.

Sgt Toby Knight is now at the centre of a misconduct and bullying inquiry by the internal affairs branch of Greater Manchester Police. Both officers are members of the force's elite Tactical Aid Unit.

It is understood that the incident happened while a team of officers were at Claytonbrook police station in Openshaw. Sgt Knight is accused of handcuffing a female police officer to the staircase after an incident between the two of them.

She was left there until another police officer freed her and a different sergeant arrived on the scene. The woman officer suffered reddening to her wrists.

'Highly regarded'

It is thought that a Greater Manchester MP was shadowing the unit at the time of the incident but did not see the alleged handcuffing.

Sgt Knight has been placed on restricted duties at another station. The woman officer, who is "highly regarded," complained and the internal affairs department of GMP launched an inquiry. It is understood they are taking the allegation very seriously.

A GMP spokeswoman said: "Greater Manchester Police's Internal Affairs Branch is investigating an allegation of misconduct following an incident at the Claytonbrook complex. A female police officer made an allegation of bullying against a male police officer.

"He has been placed on restricted duties at a different police station pending the outcome of the investigation. Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate bullying within the force and takes all reports of this nature extremely seriously. Any allegations of bullying are investigated thoroughly."

The Tactical Aid Unit perform "core tasks" such as searching properties during raids.